All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. (8) For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? (9) Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. (10) That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. (11) Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? (12) For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
What a solemn consideration it is, that such and so clamorous are the demands of the body, that the whole of men's labours is directed to satisfy them. Though the whole world appear to be directed in different pursuits, yet in reality the object proposed is but one and the same; all is swallowed up in this one, how to please the flesh! And so insatiable, and imperious are its demands, that the appetite is never filled. Solomon's question, therefore, in the close, is truly striking; who knoweth what is good for man in such a life of vanity and fleeting as a shadow! Reader! pause over the thought! Is life so truly vain? Is it no better than a shadow? And is there nothing to discover of certain good, whereby to counteract the evils of our fallen state? Precious Jesus! it is thou alone, who by thy great redemption, hast opened a source of real, solid, and substantial good: and taught thy people that happy lesson, how to improve the vanities of the present life in the pursuits of a better. Lord! impress all thy saving truths, both upon the Writer's and the header's heart, that in thee we may find that supreme good, which is liable neither to disappoint, nor to pass away. Be thou thyself our happiness, and our portion forever!